What is the difference between a Freelancer and an independent Contractor?

There's not much difference between the two really. They are both independent and run their own businesses, but the distinction is more to do with what people call themselves based on the market they are in.

For example, a journalist who works for themselves might have many clients and may call themselves a "freelance journalist". Freelancers are more in the media field, and they tend to have more than one client they work with at a time. They tend to find the work themselves rather than use recruitment agencies.

IT professionals who work for themselves tend to call themselves 'Contractors'. Many contractors find work by using agents who specialise in the contracting market. Strangely though, once a contractor moves into the consulting zone they tend to call themselves a 'freelance consultant'. On the whole IT Contractors tend to have one client at a time, work on the client site, and work alongside the permanent staff. They are brought in to provide expert skill that the client doesn't have to complete a particular project.

Hope that helps

Dave Chaplin

CEO, ContractorCalculator

http://www.ContractorCalculator.co.uk